The quote is powerful. It is poignant. It was prophetic, even if it is somewhat unfair to predict one’s own death. Billy Graham said, “Someday you will read or hear that Billy Graham is dead. Don’t you believe a word of it. I shall be more alive than I am now. I will just have…
The worms cannot go back in the can! And they really shouldn’t. I don’t want to go back to a world even two years ago, where powerful men are abusing women under their authority without repurcussions. The courage and strength it has taken for the many women who make up the majority of the #metoo…
5 Reasons I am Glad I Married Linda Filcek 22 Years Ago
December 21, 2017
22 years ago this Saturday, I said, “I do” and so did she! That was the forging of a dynamic-duo. We didn’t know then what we know now, but if we knew then what we now know, I would’ve entered marriage with even more joy than I did on that day so many years ago!…
As a pastor I have worked to try to find a rhythm of ministry that organizes my areas of responsibility around the days of the week. Study is focused on Mondays and Tuesdays. Drafting my sermons is on Wednesdays. I have meetings with staff and elders as well as counseling appointments sprinkled throughout. There are…
1. You Believe that This World is a Safe Place Many of us were shocked at the terrible events in Texas last week as a disturbed and angry man assaulted a church near San Antonio killing many during a worship service. We should be surprised that this doesn’t happen more often! If we believe that…
This may seem presumptious as a pastor writing about ways to bless your pastor. Self-serving much? But I honestly think that it may be of benefit to the few who read my blog who do not attend ReCAST church to hear from a pastor what is a regular blessing and encouragement to me. 1. Tell…
I just got home from attending a three day conference in Nashville for Pastors and worship leaders. It was an amazing experience for a variety of reasons. Often, attending a conference is like drinking from a fire-hose. This was no different. But here is my attempt to give the highlights of conference. 1. We didn’t…
5 Reasons I am Visiting our Missionaries in Indonesia
September 14, 2017
Last week, my wife and I bought plane tickets for us and our daughter to visit friends from our church who are missionaries in Indonesia. I am looking forward to this trip for many reasons, but the central reason comes from the relationship we have with these specific missionaries. They are friends who we have…
I have a list of scriptures that I have been praying over for my kids for nearly a decade. I was moved when I attended men’s retreat over ten years ago to take up this practice. And so here are 5 of the bajillion reasons I pray for my kids almost every morning. 1. My…
The Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood came out with a statement that is being called the Nashville Statement. It was named for the location of the council that produced it, much like ancient creeds were designated by the location of their formation. It has been signed by many evangelical leaders and pastors and you…
5 Reasons to Not Monitor or Limit Internet Access for Your Kids
August 17, 2017
There are unintended consequences to being an earlier adopter to the iPhone. I have had an iPhone since the 3g and have upgraded every couple of years. This meant then passing my old iPhones down to my children as an “iPod” so that they could play games and use the old one as a music…
We have a saying around my house that is often said and little applied, “if you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything.” We say that a lot. My family is verbal and loud and I’m not sure where they got it because my wife wasn’t raised that way . . . After…
